Christmas Tide Daybook

FOR TODAY................... 11 January 2013

Outside my window...

Muddy.......Oh My.......very muddy!  We had so much snow before the Christmas Season began and now it is expected to hit 70.  Wow...just two weeks ago it was -1.   The kids are outside enjoying the break before Old Man Winter shows back up again. 

I am thinking...

About discernment and God's Will.  He never shows us the end, He only expects us to begin.  In the end it is almost always better than we imagined.  He has a way of stretching us.  Are you really where you expected He would take you? 

If you are in Heaven right now Mary Ann, remember your promise.

I am thankful...for the sleep I hope to get tonight.  My Little Lamb kept me up for hours in the middle of the night last night.  I could almost fall over right now. 

I am also thankful for the willingness of others to share what they've done.   I have been incredibly blessed by others in my homeschooling. 

In the kitchen...

Meatless Mexican Lasania!  It was very yummy....almost too yummy.  The kids did not leave much for Tony.

I am creating...Lesson plans for History.  We have been working with another family for Art, History, and Music on Fridays.  I am using these wonderful plans from Jessica at Shower of Roses as  shell.  The kids have had such a blast. 

Also a new blog........Franciscan Wonderings

I am going...
to a meeting with my dear husband tomorrow.  He has been discerning a very special call for sometime now.  This is the next step....God's Will, nothing more nothing less. 


I am praying...for the heath of a young seminarian.  He gets sick so easily.  Love this kid.  If he makes it, he will be an awsome Preist. 

I am reading...

My Sisters the Saints  I really did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I have.  So much packed into it and can appeal to so many a must read. 



I am hoping...

to find time to work on ajusting schedules for the family.  As Christmastide comes to a close my attention turns to preperations for Lent.  Once again with a theme of Simplicity and Detachement. 
Around the house...

So much clutter has accumulated in such a small time.  Time to seek order and declutter. 

I am pondering...

This wonderful passage on Saint Elizabeth's Marriage.  She is my patron you know.

A favorite quote for today...

“On Good Friday in 1228, having placed her hands on the altar in the chapel of her city, Eisenach, to which she had welcomed the Friars Minor, in the presence of several friars and relatives Elizabeth renounced her own will and all the vanities of the world. She also wanted to resign all her possessions, but I dissuaded her out of love for the poor. Shortly afterwards she built a hospital, gathered the sick and invalids and served at her own table the most wretched and deprived. When I reprimanded her for these things, Elizabeth answered that she received from the poor special grace and humility.” ~~Fra Conrad of Marburg  speaking of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary



A picture to share...

Pax et Bonum,

Maggie , ofs

Sister Clare Elizabeth

 For more daybook entries visit Peggy!

Daybook - June 17th, 2011

FOR TODAY June 17th, 2011

Outside my window...
its cool and sunny. We are expecting a high of 83 today. Much nicer than the extreemly hot temps followed by lots and lots of rain that we have been experiencing. This past week has actually been on the cool side.

I am thinking...
about my oldest son. How much he has grown. He is not my little boy any more. Every time I see him on the altar I am reminded that he never did belong to me. I am so aware of how much courage it takes to discern God's Will in this way.........and to be willing to say yes. I see in him the makings of a wonderful father. He would be very much like his own. Kind, gentle, firm, playful.................loving................... I see in him the makings of a wonderful Priest. He would be thoughtful, understanding, gentle in instruction, firm in the teachings of the Church, a friend...............compassionate and loving................ What is it you will have of him Lord? I ponder........ Either way he never did belong to me only to Your Most Holy Will.

I am thankful...
for strawberries freshly picked. We went for the first time ever. I grew up in Florida. Strawberry picking was unheard of in our coastal community. I remember as a child my father trying to grow a garden. Corn does not grow in sand very well. We did have some awesome tomatoes grow in the compost heap he had.

From the learning rooms...
plans, plans, and more plans. I am looking at our goals, reviewing last year, and making plans for next year. I am painting a picture of next year much like an artist paints her canvas. My theme for this year is Simplicity. Last year I made things too complex. So I plan with this in mind.

In the kitchen...
Strawberry Summer Cake! I made this for Father Bob last night and it turned out wonderful.

I am creating...
a schedule for next year. We just had our Little Flowers and Mary's Maidens Tea this past Wednesday. It turned out wonderful. I added some more tabs on my blog so I can share what we are doing with these. I know that Jessica's Shower of Roses blog has helped me tremendously with our group. Perhaps someone would benefit seeing what we did.

I am reading...
Saint Francis of Assisi by John R. H. Moorman for the 2nd time. I am looking for another biography on Clare of Assisi to read. Have any suggestions?????????

I am looking forward to...
the day I will make my final profession. I am in my fifteens month of formation with the SFO. July will mark my 9th month of Canadacy. It has gone by very quickly but at the same time profession seems very far away. Your Will Lord........Your Will........

I am hoping....
that I do not have to go in for surgery again. I had Aggie by cesarean. Unfortunately during the healing process I managed to herniate my incision. I will know on the 23rd if he wants to do surgery. I can tell it is healing but it is still there. I can feel it when I cough. Trying so hard not to irritate it.................I hope...............

I am hearing...
silence. The girls are heading out to swim, Jojo left for summer camp early this morning, Aggie is sleeping, and the bobster has not come out of bed yet. Last night we had Fr. Bob, my son Tony, and two other seminarians came for dinner last night. It was a late night for all.

Around the house...
reorganizing, regrouping, and gardening. This is the time of year I catch my breath! With Aggies arrival this past April everything is in major need of refreshing..............including me. ;0)



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Swimming Lessons
Take Dad out to Breakfast
A visit to the Science Center
My appointment with the Surgeon
Spiritual Direction

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Scenes from our Little Flowers and Mary's Maidens Tea!

For more entries visit Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook!

New Year Daybook - January 8, 2011

For Today January 9th, 2011.....................

Outside my window........

Its dark... 12:21 AM! It has been a very cold winter and tonight is no different. Cold and Snowy..... I am up because I have to wake Fizzer up for another dose of antibiotic at 1 AM. This is the third antibiotic in a row for this urinary tract infection. She is becoming antibiotic resistant and I am worried. Fizzer has had a problem with UTIs since she was 3. Her lining of her bladder is very thick. She does not empty it all the way because she does not realize she is still full. The urine sits and grows bacteria. We had such high hopes she was out-growing this. It had been 3 moths since the last UTI. Poor baby is in so much pain. This antibiotic is an every 6 hour one. Pray for the infection to clear up please........pray for her Kidneys not to be affected.......please just pray!

I have realized............

Goodness it has been almost a year since my last Daybook entry. I sure do make a terrible blogger. :-)

I am pondering...............

"If we should look for happiness apart from God, we will end up with loneliness and sorrow." Francis Carvajal

I am creating...........

Schedules and chore list.....boy have we found ourselves off tract. Its been such a crazy year. And with a new baby coming April 24th I feel the need to purge, declutter, and organize. What I crave most is to shed all that is not necessary and emerse myself in simplicity.

From the Learning Room...................

Simplicity has become the theme............. Bob and Fizz are doing the Alphabet Path, Rita Chew, Jo Jo, and Shooby are using mostly CHC with many real living books added. Rita Chew is using Elizabeth Foss's American History Plans for the most part. Simplicity................ I just want to enjoy and savor.

I am thankful for......................

A Peaceful Christmas Season. Advent was tough this year.........perhaps it was the overachiever in me. A friend became extremely ill and was in the hospital on the 23rd getting a biopsy on her lung. She has been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. All of our Advent prep was on hold because we were preparing meals and taking care of her son while they made trip after trip to the doctors. She is still very sick.........her name is Cindy........please pray for her! On the 24th we lost a dear friend and Priest. Father Barry went home to be with the Lord just shortly before he was to say Mass. That evening as I was lamenting and frustrated that my perfect Christmas plans and projects were all going up in smoke I realized something very important.

In my frenzy to make all perfect for Christmas It dawned on me that God chose a dark cold cave with several stinky animals in residence as the perfect place for His Son to be born. Makes one realize................exactly who's idea of perfection am I trying to live up to anyway?

I am reading.....................
Lukewarmness: The Devil in Disguise by Francis Carvajal and The Complete Writings of Francis and Clare of Assisi

We are planning.............

A trip home to see my family! Its been a long time since we've been back to Florida. We will be stopping by the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament (my favorite family retreat) on our way. I am so looking forward to the break.

A Few Plans for the Up Coming Week.........

Saturday - Travel 2hrs away to visit hubbys family
Sunday - Mass and get Anthony ready to go back to the Seminary (I miss having him here)
Monday - Back to School and hopefully finished working on these schedules
Tuesday - Begin my purging and decluttering
Wednesday - Mass in the evening
Thursday - Storybook Science at the Local Arboretum
Friday - SFO Formation for me and Mary's Maidens for Rita Chew
A picture thought I am sharing..............


Meet our daughter Agnes...due Easter Sunday, April 24th, 2011.

For More Simple Women’s Daybooks visit
Peggy!

Snowy Days Day Book

FOR TODAY February 9^th 2010...........

Outside my window...

It is cold and snowy. 20+ inches when it’s all over I am told. It is amazingly beautiful. It is as if the world has come to a screeching halt.

I am hearing……………

Silence. Total and serene silence. I love the hush that comes with snow. It’s the kind of silence that seams deafening to the ears but speaks deeply to the soul. Yes Lord, what is it you wish to tell me.

I am pondering...

The silence.

The world has stopped as if it is waiting…………..holding its breath……………..silently waiting. Was this what it was like in heaven as they waited for Mary’s response? Like the silence of the snow…….waiting for the moment that God became man. Be it done to me according to Thy word.

I am thankful for...

Warm blankets, hot cocoa, hot coffee, and the smell of cinnamon.

From the kitchen...

Warmth that sticks to your ribs. Comfort foods like Grandma’s Chicken and Rice.

1 to 2 lbs cut up chicken

1 can fat free cream of celery soup

1 can fat free cream of chicken soup

¼ c finely chopped celery

½ cup shredded carrot

½ tsp cayenne pepper

4 cups water

Combine into large casserole dish and cover with foil. Place in oven at 425 for 45 min. Yum!

I am creating....

Plans to use the Alphabet Path for Fizzer (5 on Feb 18^th) and Bob (3). Okay it’s mostly for Fizzer but Bob can join in. I am sure a few of the older ones will ask to join in on the fun. My favorite resource is Jessica’s Blog. Check it out she is very creative and willing to share. J

Rita Chew, Shooby, and I are also making gifts using Charlottes Saints – n- Stiches. I’ll post pictures when we are done.

I am reading...

In Conversation with God: Ordinary Time weeks 1-12 by Frances Fernandez and come Ash Wed I will begin In Conversation with God: Lent and Eastertide by Frances Fernandez. These are the best meditation books I have ever seen. They help me stay focused on my call to holiness in my everyday ordinary life as a wife and mother. And of course not far from me are the writings of Mother Angelica. Her writings help me to meet our Lord……..here in this present moment. I am also reading The Little Flowers of Saint Frances. Oh how I love Father Frances.

I am praying...

For the repose of the soul of my husband’s stepfather Terry Best. For my friends who are still hanging in there with the movement. For all our Priest, Seminarians, and those discerning vocations.

Living the Liturgical Year...

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is coming up.

Blue Berry Muffins, Making a Marian Grotto like this, watching this movie, and reading this book. Oh and I can’t forget Charlotte’s wonderful Coloring Pages. I hope to have my plans for Lent finalized and posted soon.

In Our Learning Room……….

Slow going…………..with the funeral and all the sickness, we’ve not done much.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

- Wednesday – More snow………perhaps we will build a grotto for Our Lady in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes coming up.

- Thursday – Mass and Activities for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

- Friday: Mass and Library

-Saturday: Clean the February Funk away

Sunday: Mass in Morning

Adoration in the eveningJ

Here is picture I am sharing...

For More Simple Women’s Daybooks visit Peggy!